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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-08 EDDA MINUTESe ENGLEWOOD DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 333 WEST HAMPDEN AVENUE, SUITE 602 BOARD OF DIRECTORS October 8, 1997 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Kientz, Oxman, Sanchez, Coleman, Pfannenstiel Duemke, Powell, Kaufman, Collins, Waggoner Celva, Doyle MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: GUESTS/VISITORS: Mayor Tom Burns, Ron Straka, Consultant I. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND VISITORS Chairman Kientz welcomed Mayor Tom Burns and Ron Straka, Consultant to the Board meeting. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. The September minutes will be presented at the November, 1997 Board meeting. III. TREASURER'S REPORT The August and September, 1997 Treasurer and Expenditure reports will be presented at the November, 1997 Board meeting. IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT A. Board Vacancies Chairman Kientz thanked the Board and told them that he was honored to be EDDA's new chairman and that he looked forward to working with the Board. Bill Coleman informed the Board that Barry's Paints had been sold to Hollywood Video's and that he would be closing the business at the end of October, 1997. Chairman Kientz told the Board that there would be two vacancies to fill on the Board with Gordon Close and Bill Coleman resigning and he asked if anyone had any suggestions or , discussion on the matter. Celva told the Board that Sam Kaufman had suggested Jerry Sturm who owns the South Restaurant and Brett's Barbeque. Chairman Kientz told the Board that interviews could be handled with a luncheon between himself, Director Celva and the candidates with their recommendations forwarded to the Board. Director Celva told the Board that under the State legislation for BID's there was a 30-day time period in which to fill the vacancies. Mayor Tom Burns told the Board that the City appoints Board members twice a year, once in January and then again in July, but to accommodate the State legislature the appointments could be handled within the 30-day time limit. Director Celva told the Board that he would appreciate recommendations from the Board members for candidates to replace Gordon Close and also with the anticipation of Bill Coleman's resignation as Secretary at the end of October. Board members suggested the following names for consideration: Cliff Weinberger, Situs Investors; Jerry Sturm, The South and Brett's Barbeque; Andy Causey, Beer at Home; Ted Vasilas, Ted's Custom Clothiers. B. Board Meeting Schedule Trina Pfannenstiel told the Board that there was a conflict for her in attending the Wednesday night Board meetings and asked if there might be the possibility of an alternate date or time. Bill Coleman told the Board that Bob Powell might also have a conflict with the Wednesday night Board meetings. Director Celva told the Board that he would discuss the matter with Bob Powell and inform Chairman Kientz of any final decision. Chairman Kientz told the Board that he felt it was important to discuss the matter with Kels Waggoner as well as the other Board members. Kientz added that EDDA certainly can serve a valuable function in the Englewood community and that it behooves everyone to find a time that will work for all of the Board members and keep the communications open. C. Concert Series Chairman Kientz told the Board that there have been positive comments about the concert series and thanked everyone for their participation because the concerts are a great benefit for the community. Kientz told the Board that EDDA received a check for a $9,000 grant in September for the 1998 concerts from the Scientific Cultural Facilities District. D. Beautify Englewood Day Chairman Keintz told the Board that the conversations v. with Larry Nesbit have been delayed with the new school year beginning but that he was still looking forward to working with EDDA and his program to get the Englewood students involved in beautifying Englewood downtown. Kientz added that he would be following up with Larry Nesbit as soon as possible. E. Mayor Burns City Proposal Mayor Burns told the Board that City Council received a proposal from the public Works Department pertaining to a portion of south Broadway, south of 285 that is state highway #75. He went on to describe the proposal, its background. The complexities of the funding and approval processes which include CDOT, DRCOG the Department of Transportation and !STEA funding. Discussion of some of the proposed changes to Broadway and their implications for the EDDA District ensued. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. New city Manager Director Celva told the Board that the City had selected a new City Manager, Gary Sears from Glendale. Mayor Burns told the Board that Gary would officially take office November 3rd. Burns added, that Gary had been a past president of the Colorado Municipal League and he is well known by quite a few people, including some of the City staff and Directors, because they have served on CML or DRCOG sub-committees. He added that Sears is a people person, not a process person. Gary was recommended very highly by Jerry Gartner, Colonial National Bank. Chairman Kientz told Mayor Burns that the Board looked forward to working with Gary in the future and would like to invite him to a Board meeting. B. Cinderella Updates Mayor Burns briefly updated the Board on Cinderella city. Burns told the Board that City Council will be making a final decision about Cinderella City at the end of this process. c. General Iron Mayor Burns told the Board that the City has engaged on a non-exclusive basis the Cohen Brothers with the development of General Iron and are the sons of Al Cohen, Al Cohen Construction. David Cohen has been working on General Iron for almost a year and he is very intrigued with what can be accomplished with the site. Burns added, that the City felt by engaging someone in that capacity there would be a synergy between the City and the developer which would encourage quicker and better development. D. Melody Music Director Celva told the Board that Melody Music is to be leased by VAG Antiques and Collectibles owned by Bob and Barb Greer. E. Mel's Conoco Director Celva told the Board that Mel's Conoco was very appreciative of the $5,000.00 check they received from EDDA for landscaping. F. CRNA Process -Ron Straka Ron Straka updated the Board on the current status of the CRNA/COMPASS study of the Cinderella City site. He briefly reviewed six design alternatives that had been generated and then focused on the final proposal that would be presented to City Council for their approval. Ron told the Board that he felt it was important for EDDA to provide input to City Council on this proposal since the site is a significant part of the EDDA District. He further suggested that the positive aspects _of the CRNA/COMPASS proposal needed to be supported. After discussing varied aspects of the proposal, the Board requested Director Celva to write a letter to City Council commending the efforts of Council and all concerned in the CRNA/COMPASS process and to let members of Council know that the EDDA Board supports the following recommendations: A. Redevelopment efforts should be focused on mixed-use and transit oriented development opportunities. B. A significant public space or plaza should be in close proximity to the light rail station as part of redevelopment proposal. c. Englewood Parkway/Girard should be re-aligned and reconstructed as a civic boulevard connecting Broadway to this public plaza and adjacent light rail transit stop. D. Every effort should be made to provide a continuous open space link between Little Dry Creek Plaza and the emergence of Little Dry Creek at the northern edge of the redevelopment site .and to the Platte River open space corridor. • E. Strong consideration should be given to the "recycling opportunities" of the Foley's building (139,00 sq. ft.) and portions of the adjacent existing parking structure which could support some transit and development needs. F. The Santa Fe edge of the site should receive special treatment that reflects a positive community and civic image of (Kenyon- Dartmouth) the Englewood community. G. No big box retail should be considered east of Elati. Uses more compatible with existing and planned development including office and smaller retail should be encouraged. H. For the long term benefit of both the existing business and residential communities a phased, well thought out long term plan for the site may be a more viable option than quick development, having a limited market cycle. The City should assume a leadership role in the development process. VI. BOARD MEMBER'S CHOICE Director Celva thanked everyone for attending the Board meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, (!_~_ ~;~~-...., Connie Sanchez -..J Secretary